Marvel Unveils Gigantic New Hulk, Replacing Bruce Banner

Published Oct 13, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Robert Wood is a writer and editor based out of Cheshire, England. He is the author of 'The False Elephant: and 99 Other Unreasonably Short Stories' - 100 stories, each told in exactly 100 words.

Rob got into comics via Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man and the UK anthology 'The Mighty World of Marvel,' which was running Frank Miller's Daredevil, Classic Hulk and Contest of Champions II.

Prior to journalism, he worked in copywriting and copyedited for Oxford University Press. He is on X as @PinchTwigs and Instagram as roobwoodjourno.

There's a new Hulk in Marvel Comics, and he makes Bruce Banner's original look like Ant-Man by comparison. That's no coincidence, because this new Hulk is powered by gamma-irradiated Pym Particles, combining the powers of Giant-Man and the Incredible Hulk.

Despite its volatility and unpredictability, gamma radiation combines surprisingly well with other power sources in Marvel lore. Throw in Cosmic Radiation and you get the Red Hulk, throw in Wolverine's DNA and you get Weapon H.

Now, the transformative radiation discovered by Bruce Banner has been combined with the size-changing particles discovered by Hank Pym. But whatever you assume the end result will look like, you're about to be surprised...

Beaker Is Marvel's New (Gigantic) Hulk

Yes, the new Hulk is Beaker from The Muppets. The transformation comes in Kyle Starks, Mike Henderson, Yen Nitro and Joe Caramagna's 'A Terrible Invention,' from the recent The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1. The short story sees Bruce Banner and Hank Pym appear on a 'Muppet Labs' special with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.

Characteristically, Honeydew recklessly combines gamma radiation and Pym Particles, then tosses the combination to his hapless assistant Beaker. The glass shatters, and Beaker transforms into a skyscraper-sized goliath with a sonorous cry of "MEEP! MEEP! MEEP!!!"

Typical of The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe's approach to such an unusual crossover, 'A Terrible Invention' perfectly combines the two franchises' different takes on well-meaning but dangerous scientists, and the story ends with Beaker stomping around NYC, with Bruce and Hank Pym trying to figure out how to shrink him back to size.

Beaker Isn't 2026's Only New Hulk

As funny as it is seeing Beaker become the latest Hulk, he's far from the only new Hulk treating 2026 as a stomping ground. This year has seen the continuation of Infernal Hulk, with the demonic 'Eldest' stealing Bruce Banner's powers to bring about a new 'Age of Monsters.' It's all heading towards the Hulk War event in 2027, with iconic characters like Wolverine and Spider-Man being transformed into monsters by the villain.

This same storyline has introduced another surprising Hulk - a shapeshifter named 'Sumanguru' who used Bruce's blood to create a new Hulk body. Defeating the villain transformed Bruce into a new form of grey Hulk, however it's a temporary change that makes him incapable of absorbing any more gamma in future, hinting that Hulk War will crown yet another new Hulk in Bruce's place.

Meanwhile, over in Spider-Man/Hulk: Fire and Brimstone, Bruce Banner's attempt to exorcise the Hulk has led to the introduction of Lahkor the Devourer of Light - an 'Old Testament' Hulk who reigned for a thousand years, and was only defeated when the Catholic Church invented exorcism to bring him down.

The series has also teased the introduction of an 'Ivory Hulk' in future issues - possibly a new character, and possibly Lahkor's resurrection in a new form. All fans have seen of this new Hulk is R. B. Silva's cover art for issue 5, revealing a clawed hand with glowing green veins. It's about as far from 'Beaker Hulk' as you can get, posing a serious threat to Bruce's original Jade Giant.

Don't Miss Marvel's New Hulk

Crossover comics are often disappointing, with characters feeling unmoored from their own canon and creators too respectful to do anything interesting. That is decidedly not the case in The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1, which features a variety of pitch-perfect character interactions, from X-Men's Emma Frost meeting (and worshiping) Miss Piggy to Dr. Bunsen Honeydew turning Beaker into the new Hulk.

The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.

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